Southeast Asia
Asia GPs must spend more time, effort extracting value - survey
Asian PE investors must accustom themselves to longer holding periods and more aggressive value creation initiatives if they are to achieve their target returns in a pricey market, according to Bain & Company.
Deal focus: Electrify’s energy vision switches on VCs
Asian VCs lead a $30 million initial coin offering for Singapore-based blockchain-enabled power marketplace Electrify
Southeast Asia: Wary voices
LPs are likely to remain reluctant on Southeast Asia funds until GPs can demonstrate a consistent ability to generate positive returns from the region
Singapore's GTR Ventures invests five fintech companies
GTR Ventures, a Singapore-headquartered VC firm launched last September, has made its debut investments in five financial technology companies.
VCs invest $27m in Asian expansion for US-based Yogome
US-based Exceed Capital Partners has led a group of international VCs in a $26.9 million investment aimed at supporting an Asian expansion by domestic educational technology company Yogome.
MDI leads $10m round for Australia's Whispir
MDI Ventures, the corporate VC arm of state-controlled telecommunications firm Telkom Indonesia, has led a $10 million funding round for Australian communications platform Whispir.
Warburg Pincus to invest $370m in Vietnamese lender
Warburg Pincus is set to make another substantial investment in Vietnam, having agreed to inject $370 million into Vietnam Technological & Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank, TCB).
Tikehau makes $50m first close on Singapore healthcare fund
European asset management firm Tikehau Capital has reached a first close of $50 million on a healthcare-focused early stage investment fund.
Singtel Innov8 launches Singapore cybersecurity incubator
Singtel Innov8, the venture arm of Singapore telecom giant SingTel has teamed up with NUS Enterprise, a start-up program under National University of Singapore, to launch a cybersecurity incubator.
Burda leads $19m round for Malaysia's Carsome
Burda Principal Investments, the investment arm of European technology and media company Hubert Burda Media, has led a $19 million Series B round for Malaysian online used car marketplace Carsome.
Abraaj releases LPs from commitments to latest fund
The Abraaj Group is releasing investors from commitments made to its latest flagship fund – which targets growth markets in Asia and other regions – having previously decided to suspend the fundraising process in the wake of governance concerns.
Global Brain backs $30m investment in Singapore's Electrify
Japan’s Global Brain has participated in a token sale that raised $30 million for Electrify, a Singaporean electricity marketplace using blockchain technology. The company claims the sale received offers in excess of $1.3 billion.
Indonesia's Go-Jek secures $1.5b Series E round
Indonesian ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek has closed its Series E round at $1.5 billion with contributions from the likes of Tencent Holdings, JD.com, Meituan-Dianping, Google, Temasek Holdings, BlackRock, and Samsung Venture Investment.
Sea’s Nick Nash to step down, launch VC firm
Nick Nash (pictured), group president of Singapore-headquartered mobile internet and gaming platform Sea, will step down at the end of 2018 to launch his own regional VC firm.
VinaCapital invests $32.5m in Vietnam food player
VinaCapital has committed $32.5 million for a significant minority stake in Vietnamese egg and poultry producer Ba Huan.
Anthem seeks up to $50m for Myanmar fund
Anthem Asia has launched a Myanmar-focused private equity fund with a view to raising up to $50 million for investment in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Baird buys stake in funeral services provider Nirvana Asia
Baird Capital has acquired a minority stake in Nirvana Asia, a funeral services business that was privatized by CVC Capital Partners in 2016 in conjunction with the company’s founder.
Singapore to launch $76m IP commercialization vehicle
Singapore will support local start-ups through a S$100 million ($76 million) intellectual property (IP) commercialization fund, with Temasek Holdings set to provide at least half the capital.
Indonesia's Go-Jek scales up with Series E round
Indonesian ride-hailing and delivery platform Go-Jek is set to achieve a post-deal valuation of more than $5 billion through a funding round that was expected to reach $1.5 billion but has seen the addition of several strategic backers.
Gobi's Victor Chua leaves to launch SE Asia VC firm
Victor Chua has left a position as vice president focusing on Southeast Asia at Gobi Partners to launch his own Malaysia-based VC firm, Vynn Capital.
NDE reaches $357m close on Fund II, raises hard cap
Chinese private equity firm NDE Capital has confirmed a third close for its second fund with $357 million in commitments, surpassing a $350 million hard cap. It has raised the targeted corpus to $450 million.
Monk's Hill names new Malaysia venture partner
Singapore-based Monk’s Hill Ventures has engaged Mohd Ridzwan (Reez) Nordin as a Malaysia-based venture partner.
Warburg Pincus establishes Vietnam infrastructure platform
Warburg Pincus and industrial conglomerate Becamex IDC have agreed to set up a $200 million platform to develop institutional-grade infrastructure and logistics properties in Vietnam.
Lakeshore invests in Thai wellness brand
Lakeshore Capital has invested an undisclosed amount in Thailand-based personal care brand Panpuri.